politics
White House Officials Weigh Plan for President Trump to Issue 250 Pardons
White House officials are considering a proposal for President Trump to grant 250 pardons to coincide with the celebration of the nation's 250th birthday. The plan remains under discussion according to people familiar with the matter. No final decision has been made.
May 13, 5:35 PM·1m read4 sources
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White House officials are weighing a plan for President Trump to issue 250 pardons as a way to mark the celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, according to people familiar with the matter. The proposal would tie the clemency actions to the semiquincentennial anniversary events scheduled for 2026.
Officials have discussed the idea as one option among several under review for how the administration will observe the milestone. The number of pardons under consideration is 250, matching the anniversary figure. Discussions remain at an early stage and no list of potential recipients has been finalized.
Background on the Anniversary The United States will mark its 250th birthday in 2026. Planning for national commemorations has been underway across federal agencies and with state and local partners. The White House has been examining multiple ways to recognize the occasion, including public events, infrastructure projects and symbolic gestures.
The pardon proposal is one element of those broader discussions. A decision on whether to proceed with the pardons has not been announced. Any clemency actions would follow standard Justice Department review processes before final approval by the president.
